A recent series of articles in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette profile the region’s many dog parks while highlighting the dearth of dog parks within the City of Pittsburgh.

“”It’s frustrating,” said Anthony Corcoran, who had driven from the South Side to South Park so that his yellow Labrador retriever, Sophie, 2, could have an off-leash romp. Parks in his city neighborhood ban dogs, he said, so he and his wife “drive all over” to give Sophie a free run.

“I’m a physician and my wife is a nurse anesthetist and our schedules are busy,” said Dr. Corcoran, who was enjoying a rare weekday off. “I wish we had something closer to home.”

Sophie is a semi-regular visitor at South Park, Hartwood and Frick Park.”